Umbrella 1A - Particle Sources

UMB1A

The main research focus is to improve advanced techniques for characterization of particles (synchrotrons, micro-CT, AMS) from the unique NMBU archive, to link particle characteristics to specific sources and to link particle properties to ecosystem transfers (RA2) and biological effects (RA3). The underlying hypothesis is that failing to address the speciation of radionuclides can result in significant errors in the assessment and modelling of the environmental impact of radioactive contamination, since particles show marked differences in behaviour from the – often presumed – ionic species on which models are based.

On picture above: μ-XAS-tomography of an oxidised fuel particle released during the fire in the Chernobyl reactor (Salbu et al., 2000). (Left) 3-D rendering of tomographic slices showing the surface of the particle. (Right) Computerised slicing of the 3-D image of the oxidised fuel particle.